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29 October 2011

iPad Update

I'm LOVING my iPad in the classroom.  Oh, how I wish all my students had their own to use, but since I don't see that happening, we'll make the best with what we've got.  I got my Giving Tree sticker (ordered it from Etsy) for the back of my iPad - little things like this make me a happy, happy girl.

Since I asked for advice on what apps to use when I first got my iPad, I thought I'd share what I'm using so far.  We start our day with a Brain Pop video and quiz (I can't believe this app is free - it's fantastic!!!).  I was having a bit of a problem getting all my students to enter the classroom quickly after they came in to the school in the mornings.  Now when they enter, they know they have 60 seconds until I start the movie ... the problem has been solved.  The students (and I) really enjoy the movies, and I love the wording of the multiple choice questions.  Definitely a HIT!

I bought the iTooch app ($4.99 each) for both math and language.  It's based on grade 5 curriculum, so it's a perfect fit for my grade 5/6 class.  Completing the practice questions, and then the short quiz takes about 5 minutes, and is a great way to start my math and language classes.  I try to do one lesson every second day.

I recently used Songify (another free one) in math class, and the students loved it so much, I'll definitely be doing it again.  I had each student write a phrase or math sentence related to place value.  Each group recorded themselves saying the phrase, and then we played it back in song format.  SO.MUCH.FUN!

I want to use my iPad in my guided reading groups.  I thought it would be great to record the students reading, then have them play it back to reflect on their fluency, phrasing, or expression.  Does anybody do something similar to this?  What app would you suggest?  I've downloaded a few free ones, but if there is something out there you LOVE, I'd LOVE to know ...

Happy Saturday!


20 comments:

  1. Check out the Show Me app. It's a recordable whiteboard - you can write/draw and record audio at the same time. It's pretty awesome! :)

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  2. Thanks, Melanie - I'll check that one out.

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  3. There is an app for Partial Sums, Partial Products, Lattice Multiplication... and pretty much any other math method that is taught today! I love any apple product!

    maria
    charmedinthirdgrade.blogspot.com

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  4. You definitely need to check out the stick pick app to use for questioning in guided groups.

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  5. Do you have the ipad connected to a projector to show the Brainpop video?

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  6. Dragon Speak is awesome for kids who have problems writing. Have you tried it yet? I would love to know how your hook up your ipad so your class could us it. Projector or something else??

    Jen Bellinger

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  7. Thanks for some more suggestions. I do have Dragon - my students with IEPs use the computer program - downloaded the app, but haven't tried it yet. I don't have my iPad hooked up to the computer yet - right now I am just using it under my ELMO (document camera) so I can project it. This is what I did with my eReader, too. Works well so far.

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  8. I connect my iPad to my projector, the connector was about 30 dollars, but it works perfectly with our projector and my MacBook.

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  9. The app I use on my iPad to record students in reading groups is iTalk. It lets you email them to yourself afterwards, so that you can keep a file of the students' readings so they can access them and check to see if their reading has improved.

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  10. Congrats on being a featured seller this week, Jen! :)

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  11. Yey! Congrats Jen!

    I wish there were apps. for middle school.
    One of my 8th grade boys actually took that up as a challange and working on creating one for me. We'll see how that turns out :)

    Stop by and join my lesson plan linky party :)

    ❤ Mor ❤
    A Teacher's Treasure

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  12. Very inspiring! We're working through integrating three iPads into our special ed classroom. Love your ideas!

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  13. Lakeshore has two free apps right now - they might be a good review of phonics for some. And raz-kids (reading a-z) has one free book per guided reading level... both can run offline.

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  14. I love the idea of recording the kids reading! Guess I could use this on my iPhone since we don't have iPads and hubby sure won't approve of my buying one "for my classroom"--ha! :)

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  15. Hi all, i want to share about thanksgiving day food recipes. thanksgiving food is make happy in your life, that make easy for get blessing your special ones. use this app and enjoy that thanksgiving. This app is supported to iPad and iPhone.

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  16. Stumbled across this page on my travels, I teach Grade 6 at a school with a 1:1 ipad program. It is fantastic, and a rich learning environment.

    Below is a link to our base list of applications for our students.
    http://files.campus.edublogs.org/global2.vic.edu.au/dist/2/8181/files/2011/11/1-1-iPad-App-List-2012.pdf

    As well as iPads for learning blog produced by our school.
    http://ipads4learning.global2.vic.edu.au/

    Hope this information can prove useful.

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  17. @Lachlan - oh so jealous of your 1:1 ratio!!! Thanks for the links, I'll check them out.

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  18. Two great apps to record student reading and take notes and pictues AND store conveniently in files are Evernote. The other is PaperDesk. Check them out. You'll love them. Love the great sharing of apps for teachers. Thanks for your post!

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  19. Wow! Your ipad photo is looking very nice and as well as your information is very helpful for every students. I like your sharing.
    Harshal Shah

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